coccus

[ kok-uh s ]
/ ˈkɒk əs /

noun, plural coc·ci [kok-sahy, -see] /ˈkɒk saɪ, -si/.

Bacteriology. a spherical bacterium.
Botany. one of the carpels of a schizocarp.

Origin of coccus

1755–65; < New Latin < Greek kókkos grain, seed, berry

OTHER WORDS FROM coccus

coc·cal, coc·cic [kok-sik] /ˈkɒk sɪk/, adjective coc·cous, adjective

Words nearby coccus

cocciferous, coccobacillary, coccobacillus, coccoid, coccolith, coccus, coccyalgia, coccydynia, coccygeal, coccygeal body, coccygeal ganglion

Definition for coccus (2 of 2)

-coccus

a combining form representing coccus in compound words: streptococcus.

Example sentences from the Web for coccus

British Dictionary definitions for coccus

coccus
/ (ˈkɒkəs) /

noun plural -ci (-saɪ)

any spherical or nearly spherical bacterium, such as a staphylococcus Compare bacillus (def. 1), spirillum (def. 1)
the part of a fruit that contains one seed and separates from the whole fruit at maturity
any of the scale insects of the genus Coccus

Derived forms of coccus

coccoid, coccal or coccic (ˈkɒksɪk), adjective coccous, adjective

Word Origin for coccus

C18: from New Latin, from Greek kokkos berry, grain

Medical definitions for coccus (1 of 2)

coccus
[ kŏk′əs ]

n. pl. coc•ci (kŏk′sī, kŏk′ī)

A bacterium of round, spheroidal, or ovoid form.

Other words from coccus

coc′coid′ (kŏk′oid′) null adj.

Medical definitions for coccus (2 of 2)

-coccus

suff.

A microorganism of spherical or spheroidal shape:streptococcus.

Scientific definitions for coccus

coccus
[ kŏk′əs ]

Plural cocci (kŏk′sī, kŏk′ī)

Any of various bacteria having a round or ovoid form such as streptococcus or staphylococcus, usually grouped in chains.